Portable, extendible, and foldable nursery chair



Au 4, 1936. R. E. MOORE 2,050,114

PORTABLE, EXTENDIBLE, AND FOLDABLE NURSERY CHAIR Filed March 5, 1935 4 4 123 91 2 1 Z. 41 q 1? 5 k 1 5a 59 6 e2 I J I g8 29 A H I f 44' 5 g 50 I? r I 47 2 i 4' l 45 fay H 1 M 292 1 E 4g 0 Q'7 /10 47 I a L 6 floberiE/Hoore Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PORTABLE, EXTENDIBLE, AND FOLDABLE NURSERY CHAIR Robert E. Moore, Sewickley, Pa.

Application March 5, 1935, Serial No. 9,507

'IClaims.

This invention relates to a portable, extendible and foldable nursery chair and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a chair of the class referred to capable of being 5 expeditiously extended to receiving position for the child and quickly folded in a compact manner when it is not desired for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a chair of the class referred to including means, when it is extended, for confining therein and supporting the child on the seat thereof in a comfortable manner, at the same time providing rests at its sides and front for the arms of the child.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a chair of the class referred to including a commode receiving housing forming the chair body and having an apertured top constituting the seat of the chair, and with the housing so constructed to permit convenient removal of the commode when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a chair of the class referred to including a seat having an opening and means for positioning and supporting a commode directly below the seat opening.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a chair of the class referred to including a foldable back, foldable sides connected with the back and having arm rests, a confining element for the child supported by, extended outwardly from and detachably connected to the chair sides, and an open top commode receiving housing having the chair back and sides hinged thereto.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a chair of the class referred to which is simple in its construction, strong, durable, foldable in a compact manner, quickly extended and folded when desired, thoroughly efilcient in its use, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may ,herei-nafter appear, the invention consists of such parts and such combination of parts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation of the'chair when extended for use,

Figure 2 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of the chair in extended position,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional, view on line 3-3, Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the chair in extended position,

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the chair when 5 folded, and

Flgure'fi is a section on line H, Figure l. v

The nursery chair, in accordance with this invention, includes a body portion l in the form of a housing, a flanged commode 2, a pair of hinged sides 3, 4, a hinged back 5, a child confining element 6 and a commode positioning and supporting element I.

The body portion i comprises a bottom wall 8,

a pair of side walls 9, I 0, a front wall ii, a rear wall l2, formed of an upper and a lower section II, I 4 respectively, and a top wall is. The bottom wall 8 is arranged between the side and front walls and the lower section of the rear wall. The side walls are arranged between the front and rear walls. The sections of the rear wall are hinged together as at IS. The lower section of the rear wall is stationary. The upper section of the rear wall provides a hinged door which permits access to be had to the interior of the body portion. The top wall is mounted upon the side and front walls. The section I 4 and walls 8, 9, I0, I l and i5 aresecured together in any suitable manner.' When section II is closed the top wall l5 opposes the top'edge thereof. The top wall l5 constitutes the seat of the chair and is formed with an enlarged circular opening I! having its edge I 8 flared and rounded. Secured to and depending from the bottom 8 are spaced foot pieces I! having rounded lower ends 20. The top wall i5 and rear wall section i3 carry coacting parts to provide a frictional latch 2i of known form for detachabiy securing thedoor, formed by section i3, closed. The section 13 has a finger receiving opening 2i to facilitate the opening of such section when desired. The commode 2 comprises an open top annular body 22 having a rounded lower portion 23 terminating in a flat bottom 24. The upper end of body 22 merges into an outwardly directed upwardly inclined annular flange 25. A handle 26 is secured to body 22.

Each hinged chair side consists of a panel 21 having a rounded outer corner 28 at its frontend, a rounded rear end 29, a straight outer side edge 30, a straight inner side edge ii, a straight front end edge 32, a transverse notch 33 positioned in proximity to edge 32 and opening at edge 30, an opening 34 (Figure 6) arranged in close proximity to the inner end of edge 30,

mortises 35, respectively positioned on the outer and inner faces of the panel and surrounding opening 34, a reinforcing plate 31 within mortise 36 and an inwardly extending arm rest 33 secured upon edge 30 between the rear end of the latter and the rear wall of notch 33. The panel 21 is of a length to extend from a point in close proximity to the front end and terminate forwardly of the rear ,end of top wall I5. The panel 21 is disposed relative to top wall l5 so that when a chair side is extended to a vertical position the edge 3| of the panel will seat upon top wall l5 inwardly adjacent a side edge of the latter. The panel 21 is hinged to the top wall l5, as at 39, in a manner so a chair side will fold inwardly over the top wall |5. The width of panel 21 is less than half the width of top wall I5. The plates 31 when arranged in the mortises 36 constitute closures for the outer ends of openings 34.

To prevent the chair sides 3, 4 from swinging completely off the top wall IS, the latter has secured to the side marginal portions of its upper face pairs of aligning stop strips. The strips of each pair are designated 40, 40'. The pairs of strips are abutted by the inner portions of the chair sides 3, 4 when the latter are extended to the position shown in Figure 1. The strips of each pair have the outer sides thereof flush with a side edge of top wall |5.

The hinged chair back 5 comprises 9. rec-- tangular panel 4| having a reinforcing means 42 extending transversely of the rear face thereof. Secured to the inner ends of the side edges 43 of the panel 4| are hinge members 44 having angularly disposed apertured arms 45 at their inner ends. The arms 45 project beyond the inner end edge of panel 4| and when the latter is in its extended position the arms are disposed at a forward inclination towards the top wall I 5.

Secured to the rear end marginal portion of the outer face of top wall l5, as well as being flush with the rear end edge of the latter, is a bar 46 positioned between the arms 45. Pivots 41 are provided for connecting the ends of bar 46 to the arms 45.

The back 5 is adiustably connected to the chair sides 3, 4 and for such purpose the back 5 has anchored thereto, in proximity to each side edge thereof as well as above members 44, a pair of parallel forwardly extending eyes 48 having universally connected thereto the rear ends of the rear sections 49 of a pair of oppositely disposed lengthwise adjustable angle-shaped retainer members or elements 50. for the chair back 5. The forward sections 5| of the elements 50 haveinwardly extending ends 52 (Figure 6) carrying retainers 53. The ends 52 extend through the apertured outset portions 54 of coupling plates seated in the mortises 35. The ends 52 and the retainers 53 of the members 50 coact with apertured offset portions 54 of the plates 55 for universally connecting said members 50 with said plates 55. The members 50 are rigid. The plates 55 act as closures for the outer ends of openings 34. The plates 55 are anchored to the chair sides 3, 4 by the holdfast means 56 which also acts to secure the reinforcing plates 31 in the mortise 36 of the chair sides. The members 50 act to limit the rearward movement of the chair back when the latter is extended.

The element 6 comprises a panel 51 having the major portion thereof of a width less than the distance between the chair sides. The panel 51, at the inner ends of its sides 58. is formed with a pair of oppositely extending, laterally disposed arms 56 of a width for positioning in the notches 33 in and to be flush with the outer side edges of the chair sides. Secured at one end to the inner face of each arm 59 is a holder 60 to prevent the shifting of panel 51 transversely, forwardly and rearwardly when the element 6 is in child confining position. The holder 60 is formed of an oblong block 62 disposed on one of its end edges. When element 6 is in child confining position the holder 60 extends into and projects outwardly from a mortise 64 formed on the inner face of a panel 21. The arms 59, holder 60, notches 33 and mortises 64 provide means for detachably connecting the element 6 to the chair sides 3, 4. The panel 51 has a concave rear edge 65 and has secured to its inner face a reinforcing member 66.

The commode positioning and supporting element 1 comprises an upstanding strip 61 secured upon its lower lengthwise edge to the upper face of bottom wall 8 at the longitudinal median of the latter. The strip 61 is of a length less than that of wall 8. The strip, at its forward end, abuts the inner face of wall II and has its upper lengthwise edge formed of a forward straight portion 68 and a rear inclined portion 69. The latter extends upwardly from the rear end of strip 61 to the rear end of edge portion 68. The

' latter is of greater length than edge portion 69. The rear end of strip 61 is spaced from the section M of wall l2. Disposed at right angles to and on opposite sides of strip 61 is a pair of oppositely disposed vertical webs 10, 1| which abut the bottom wall 8. Web 10 abuts side wall 9 and top wall I5. Web 1| abuts side wall In and top wall l5. One side edge of each web is formed with a vertically disposed lower edge portion 12, an intermediate edge portion formed of a horizontally disposed lower part 13, an upstanding inwardly inclined upper part 14 and a curved part 15 merging into said upper and lower parts, and an upper edge portion 16 inclining upwardly and inwardly from the upper end of part 15. The inclination of portion 16 is greater than that of part 14. The portion 12 is of less length than the edge parts 13, 14 and 15 but is of greater length than portion 16. The part 13 is of greater length than part 16 but of less length than part 14. The vertical edge portions 12 of the webs abut opposite sides of strip 61. The outer ends of the edge parts 13 are flush with the edge portion 68 of strip 61 forwardly of the rear end of edge portion 68. Secured to the lower face of top wall l5, at the outer or forward end of the latter, and abutting the upper end of the inner face of wall II is a stop 11. The edge portion 69 of strip 61 forms a guide. The edge portions 16 of the webs, in connection with the lower face of top wall l5,

'provide retaining pockets or grooves for the flange 25 of the commode. The edge portion 68, in connection with the edge parts 13 of the webs, form a support for the bottom 24 of the commode. The edge parts 14, 15 of the webs form a confining means for the body of the commode. The stop 11 forms an arrestor for the commode as it is to be engaged by flange 25. The commode 2 is entered into the chair body when section i3 of the rear wall I 2 is shifted in a direction to open the chamber 18 providediby body portion When the chair is folded from its extendible position, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the element 6 is detached from the chair sides 3, l and said sides are folded upon the top wall II or body I portion I. When so folded the chair back 6 is carried therewith and folds over the chair sides 3, l. The spaces between the strips 40, ll of each pair forms a clearancefor receiving the elements 50. After the sides I, l and back are folded the element 6 is then interposed between back 5 and chair sides 3, 4 and the chair will be in the position as shown in Figure 5.

The manner of setting up the retaining members or elements 50 relative to the back and sides of the chair permanently connect the sides to the back whereby the members or elements 50 I serve simultaneously to fold or unfold the chair sides when the chair back is actuated.

When the chair is folded it is not conspicuous to an extent to quickly direct attention thereto. Further, when folded, it may be conveniently carried by one from place to place. The size of the chair when folded permits it to be mounted in a small storage space in automotive and other vehicles, as well as trains.

What I claim is:

1. A portable, extendible and foldable nursery chair comprising a hollow body portion having its top constituting the chair seat, said top being formed with an opening, said body portion having a normally closed entrance for the insertion therein of a commode, a combined guide, positioning and supporting means for the commode, said means being disposed within said body portion for retaining the commode below said opening, a pair of chair sides positioned inwardly adjacent to the sides of, hinged to and oppositely foldable over said top, a chair back having a forwardly extending lower portion hinged to said top forwardly of the rear of the latter and foldable over said sides, a confining element for the child, said chair sides and element having coacting means for detachably connecting said element to and in outwardly projecting relation with respect to the outer ends of the chair sides when these latter are extended, and retaining members being rigid and universally connected with the chair back and chair sides whereby said members provide simultaneously for folding and unfolding the chair sides when the chair back is actuated, said element being for disposition between said back and chair sides when the chair is in folded position.

2. A portable, extendible and foldable nursery chair comprising a hollow body portion having its top constituting the chair seat, said top being formed with an opening, said body portion having a normally closed entrance for the insertion therein of a commode, a combined guide, positioning and supporting means for the commode, said means being disposed within said body portion for retaining the commode below said opening, a pair of chair sides positioned inwardly adjacent to the sides of, hinged to and oppositely foldable over said top, a chair back having a. forwardly extending lower portion hinged to said top forwardly of the rear of the latter and foldable over said sides, a confining element for the child, said chair sides and element having coacting means for detachably connecting said element to and in outwardly projecting relation with respect to the outer ends of the chair sides when these latter are extended, retaining members being rigid and universally connected with the chair back and chair sides whereby said members provide simultaneously for folding and unfolding the chair sides when the chair back is actuated, and ehdwise aligning stops on each side of the upper face of said top for limiting the extendible movement of said sides, and the stops on each, side of said top being disposed relatively to each other to provide clearances for said retaining members when the chair is in folded position. a

3. A portable, extendible and foldable nursery chair comprising-a hollow body portion having its top constituting the chair seat, said top being' formed with an opening, said body portion having a normally closed entrance for the insertion therein of a commode, a combined guide, posltioning'and supporting means for the commode, said means being disposed within said body portion for retaining the commode below said opening, a pair of chair sides positioned inwardly adjacent to the sides of, hinged to and oppositely foldable over said top, a chair back having a forwardly extending lower portion hinged to said top forwardly oi the rear of the latter and foldable over said sides, a confining element for the child, said chair sides and element having coacting means for detachably connecting said element to and in outwardly projecting relation with respect to the outer ends of the chair sides when these latter are extended, retaining members being rigid and universally connected with the chair back and chair sides whereby said members provide simultaneously for folding and unfolding the chair sides when the chair back is actuated, said element being for disposition between said back and chair sides when the chair is in folded position, and said chair sides being provided at their outer edges with arm rests disposed at right angles thereto.

4. A portable, extendible and foldable nursery chair comprising a hollow body portion having its top constituting the chair seat, said top being formed with an opening, said body portion having a normally closed entrance for the insertion therein of a commode, a combined guide, positioning and supporting means for the commode, said means being disposed within said body portion for retaining the commode below said opening, a pair of chair sides positioned inwardly adjacent to the sides of, hinged to and oppositely foldable over said top, a chair back having a forwardly extending lower portion hinged to said top forwardly of the rear of the latter and 101dable over said sides, a confining element for the child, said chair sides and element having coacting means for detachably connecting said element to and in outwardly projecting relation with respect to the outer ends of the chair sides when these latter are extended, and retaining members being rigid and universally connected with the chair back and chair sides whereby said members provide simultaneously for folding and unfolding the chair sides when the chair back is actuated, said element being for disposition between said back and chair sides when the chair is in folded position, said members being lengthwise adjustable.

5. In a portable and foldable nursery chair, a hollow body portion having its top formed with an opening and constituting the seat of the chair, a pair of oppositely foldable chair sides hinged to said top and formed with openings and foldable upon said top, inner and outer closure means for said openings anchored to said sides, said outer closure means having an opening, a foldable chair back hinged at its lower end to said top, a pair of oppositely disposed angleshape retaining members for the chair back extending at their forward ends through the openin: in said outer closure means into the open ings in said sides and provided with means co-- acting'with said outer closure means for permanently loosely connecting the members to said outer closure means and for pivotally connecting the members to said chair sides, and means for permanently loosely connecting said members to the chair back.

6. In a portable and foldable nursery chair, a hollow body portion having its top formed with an opening and constituting the seat of the chair, a pair of oppositely Ioldable chair sides hinged to said top and formed with openings and foldable upon said top, inner and outer closure means for said openings anchored to said sides, said outer closure means having an opening, a foldable chair back hinged at its lower end to said top, a pair ot'oppositely disposed angleshape retaining members for the chair back extending at their forward ends through the opening in said outer closure means into the openings in said sides and provided with means coacting with said outer closure means for permanently loosely connecting the members to said outer closure means and for pivotally connecting the members to said chair sides, and means for permanently loosely connecting said members to the chair back, and each of said members being formed oi a front and rear section adjustably connected together.

7. In a portable and foldable nursery chair of that type including a hollow structure for receiving a. commode and having an opening at its top, and afoldable chair back pivoted to top of the structures, the combination of a pair 01' foldable chair sides hinged to the top of the structure and being formed with notches in their top edges and mortises opening in said notches, and a confining element for connection to said chair, sides when the latter are extended upwardly with respect to said structure, said element being formed at the inner ends 01' its sides with laterally disposed arms for seating in-said notches, and said element being formed on its inner face with holders for extension into said mortises when said arms are seated in said notches.

ROBERT E. MOORE. 

